The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has opened applications for its 2025 entrepreneurship programmes.

In a statement on its website on Wednesday, TEF called for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs across Africa to apply.

The foundation said applicants would receive training, mentoring, and non-refundable seed capital funding.

TEF said three programmes have been introduced: the TEF entrepreneurship programme, the IYBA-WE4A entrepreneurship programme, and the Aguka ideation programme.

“The flagship TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is open to all entrepreneurs across Africa. It is for those with innovative business ideas or businesses not older than five years,” TEF said.

“This year, there is a special emphasis on businesses leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI). There is also emphasis on green initiatives.

“Applicants must be at least 18 years old.”

TEF said the IYBA-WE4A entrepreneurship programme was launched in partnership with the European Union (EU) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), also known as German Corporation for International Cooperation.

“IYBA-WE4A stands for Investing in Young Businesses in Africa – Women Entrepreneurship for Africa,” the foundation said.

“This programme is for women entrepreneurs with green business ideas. It also supports existing green businesses in Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, and Togo.

“Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Their businesses must not exceed five years in operation.”

TEF said the Aguka ideation programme was launched in partnership with UNDP Rwanda, and the Rwandan ministry of youths and arts.

“This programme supports young Rwandan entrepreneurs between 18-30 years with business ideas. It offers a seed capital of $3000,” the foundation said.

“The programme aims to nurture and develop innovative concepts into viable enterprises.”

TEF advised applicants to submit their applications through TEFConnect, its proprietary digital hub.

The foundation said applicants should submit applications between January 1, 2025, and March 1, 2025.

TEF said African entrepreneurs with scalable business ideas or businesses not older than five years are eligible to apply.

Landmark Africa, the firm behind Landmark Beach Resort in Lagos, plans to relocate its Nigerian headquarters and expand operations.

The Chief Executive Officer, Paul Onwuanibe disclosed this during his appearance on The KK Show – Key to Keys podcast on Eden Oasis’ YouTube channel.

Onwuanibe announced the company’s intent to enter two more African countries, establish a presence in three Nigerian states, and move its headquarters out of Lagos.

This follows the April 2024 demolition of Landmark Beach Resort, which he called a devastating setback, leading to an estimated $80 million loss.

The Landmark CEO noted that the demolition emphasized the need for geographical diversification to reduce the risks associated with concentrated investments.

He also revealed plans to move Landmark Africa’s entire events and tourism platform outside Nigeria.

“We’re going to have some diversification. We’re going to diversify to two other African countries. We’re going to go into three different states.

“We’re going to move our Nigeria HQ location out of Lagos. And we’re going to move our entire sort of events and tourism platform out of Nigeria,” Onwuanibe stated.

He revealed that Landmark Africa received interest from governors in 12 Nigerian states.

After a six-month evaluation, three states were chosen for new ventures, although he did not disclose the names of the states or the new African countries for expansion.

Onwuanibe however discussed the impact of the April 2024 Landmark Beach Resort demolition, revealing the short notice and the continuing financial strain it caused.

“We were issued a seven-day notice,” he said, adding that the demolition was delayed by two to three months.

Despite this, Landmark Africa has not received any compensation, while other affected properties have been paid.

He also raised concerns about changes to the Coastal Road’s planned route, which was originally intended to run in front of the resort.

“It was meant to be in front of us, not behind,” he said, adding to the confusion surrounding the demolition.

He emphasized Landmark Africa’s contribution to the local economy, highlighting the payment of over 10 billion naira in taxes the previous year.

Former staff members of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) who were dismissed in a mass layoff last year, have sued the apex bank.

In a court document seen by TheCable on Monday, the workers alleged that the CBN violated internal policies, Nigerian labour laws, and their contractual rights.

The claimants, represented by Stephen Gana and 32 others, filed a class action lawsuit at the national industrial court of Nigeria (NICN), Abuja.

They said their termination process, carried out through letters, titled, ‘Reorganizational and Human Capital Restructuring’, and dated April 5, 2024, violated both the CBN human resources policies and procedures manual (HRPPM) and Section 36 of the Nigerian constitution.

The claimants said the process lacked the necessary consultation and fair hearing mandated by law.

The originating summons, filed on July 4, 2024, under the NICN Civil Procedure Rules 2017, raised several questions for the court to consider, including whether the claimants were denied their constitutional right to a fair hearing before and after their appointments were terminated.

The workers also claimed that the termination letters, issued on the basis of “restructuring,” were arbitrary, illegal, and unconstitutional.

Insisting that they continue to work for the apex bank, the claimants are seeking a court ruling that their dismissals are “void and useless”.

Additionally, they sought a restraining order to prevent the CBN from firing them without following the proper procedures, immediate reinstatement, and payment of salaries and benefits from the date of termination.

The court filing references Article 16.4.1 of the HRPPM, which mandates consultation with the joint consultative council (JCC) and adherence to fair procedures before employment actions adversely affect staff.

The claimants said the provision was flagrantly disregarded, as they were given just three days to vacate their positions and hand over official property.

They are also seeking N30 billion in general damages for psychological distress, hardship, and reputational harm caused by the dismissal; and an additional N500 million as the cost of the suit.

COURT ENCOURAGES AMICABLE RESOLUTION

In another document dated November 20, 2024, the court called for an amicable resolution of the matter.

Gana and their counsel represented the claimants while Inam Wilson alongside seven other lawyers represented the CBN (the defendant).

In the document, Obaseki Osaghae, the presiding judge of the industrial court, acknowledged the defendant’s preliminary objection, filed on November 4, 2024, challenging the suit’s admissibility.

The claimants responded with a counter-affidavit, which their counsel confirmed had been served.

In response, the judge encouraged both parties to explore a settlement under Section 20 of the National Industrial Court Act (NICA) of 2006.

“It is my view that parties should attempt an amicable resolution of this dispute,” Osaghae said.

The matter was, therefore adjourned to January 29 for the hearing of the preliminary objection or to review the progress of any settlement discussions.